Cool New World Series DVD Megaset

MLB Productions has its own proud parental moment this fall. It has dug into the archives to produce the entire run of 65 World Series films in a DVD set, accompanied by a 58-page commemorative book with the foreword by Costas. The 20-disc set, with 50 hours of restored footage, will be on sale in stores Nov. 10 and can be pre-ordered now on MLB.com. Suggested retail price is $229.95.

The first Series film was produced in 1943 when MLB was commissioned by the U.S. State Department to provide a highlight reel for overseas troops during World War II. The 23-minute film, showing the New York Yankees‘ victory against the St. Louis Cardinals, is clearly geared to servicemen.

Subsequent films were used as a recruiting tool for the Armed Services in the 1940s and ’50s — prospects would be invited to see the film, then hear the enrollment pitch. MLB clubs also used them widely for promotional purposes, making them available to groups and in schools. The ’50s vintage highlights, typically 40 minutes, often ended with announcer Lew Fonseca encouraging fans, “See a game often.”